New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-02
THE NEW WEST SIDE PARK.
PLANS FOR DEVELOPING MoRNINGsIDE.

THE REPORT PRESENTED BY MEssRs. OLMsTED
AND vAUx ADOPTED BY THE PARK BOARD.
special meeting Of the Park Board was called
yesterday to consider the plans Of Monngside Park
which have Just been completed by Messrs. Olmsead
and Vaux, who were present at tho meeting and
explained the general character Of the changes and
the plan Of their work, as provided by the report
The plan makes the main entrance Of the park at
ehundredand sixteenth-st, instead Of at one-hun
dredandtenth-st., first intended, according to the
plans made by Olmstead and vaux fourteen years ago
This and other changes Mr. Olmstead pointed out, and
the reasons for the changes were presented wildly In
the report.
Mr.. Crimmins offered resolution that the plans be
adopted and application made at once to the Board
Of Estimate for s2o00OO provided by tho Legislature
for this work. President Borden, Mr. Myers and Mr.
Hutchns voted for this resolution. Application will
be made for the money this week and Is expected
that the work will be well under way before the last
Of October In reference to its cost, olmstead and
Vaux say that the present appropriation will probably
most Of the interior work In the park, ard they
urge that any exterior walls that to be built should
deferred the last when the fark ITSELF mas be-
como inviting to the public
Tho original plan tho park, made fourteen years
ago, was adopted, subject to such notifications as
should arise. Ono Of these circumstances is the
building Of the elevated road, which had not been
projected when the first plan made Its tracks
are now carried and partly obstruct the moth
Sidewalk OF Observation-Disclosures where the princi
pal approach to the park was to be. A station has
boon placed near, and heavy trains moving slowly
along at an extraordinary height Will have most
dIsqucting influence the southern portion OF this
pleasure ground The elevated road, also, by making
this locality much more accessible from all distant
points makes It less Of local ground and requires
large estimate Of the number Of visitors who will have
to be provided for in Its walks and other accommodar
lions.
CHANGES CAUSED ny THE ELEVATED ROADS
The typographical limits remaining the same 1t
becomes necessary to avoid nooks and pas
sages which likely to be gutted by crowds,
and precautions must be observed against
the dangers that with the pressure OF hrongs
The One hundred and sxteen.n st. entrance becomes
Of greater Importance account Of thestation on the
road at that point making commodIous passage
through the park from that street prime necessity
Changes are also required by the construction of
retaining wall along the buf with outworks differ
ent and costly than that provided for IN tho orig
nal plan An exhibition building was also tOhten-
plated In the Old plan, and plaza was provided for
to Icvced at considerable expense and reached ny
system Of walks and drives: This is no longer de-
sired and that work win not be required.
ANY value that may como from the park VIII DC
ound in the relief and contrast from the confined
cry OF streets and buildings, and the plan must DC
adapted to furnish such relief and make II available
with no costly disturbance OF nanra, Which "a
causeway supported by the retaining wal so ,hae ts
avenue essentially for the distance of more than nai
a mile hanging terrace, tho height Of sixstory house
above the eastern side Of tho property IT,.
when the city shall have been bulit up on INC nsl
walk A great cxpansc Will be open TO tho east pc
yond the park and the roof. OF the houses 10 me
water and shipping OF tho East River from Hell Cato
10 the sound to the suburban region Of Long Island
and back this wooded ls to great distance, sSen
by improvements, nothing can DO more refreshing
than this broad prospect including so uen tn ,a
the full enjoyment Is first, safe and convenient
shady place, nom which the visitor whG ~ ngrsonnd
Ia 4 In and "A
A HANGING TERRACE PROVIDED.
The plan provides for the first condition In mall
shaded by two rows OF trees and number of bays TO
serve as resting places and invite contemplation I"
tho best points OF view. In the Old plan it was In
tended that wall and stairways should be built In
rustic, inexpensive manner covered with vines ahd
rock plant, to render them beautiful Tho variations
FUN this plan have made necessary a much moro
massive elegant aud costly form OF construction
Much Of this has been executed and Is incorporated IN
s Pss ysw Prom the o rom the
foreground, plantations arran ell In The part I'M
Of trees that the nearest shah In time form simple
broad of foliage pleasing of look down upon
height hit win hide tho horizon from the view. The
result will make lcss strenuous tho rows OF houses
and viii secure unity between tho nearer eau Instant
parts of tho landscape
The lower :.6unds 10 be treated In agreeable
contrast TO tho heights. One broad walk Of equal
length to the terrace, the plan provides
shall be sheltered, carrying the visitor through Sc
10 features near at hand At the northern and south
crn ends spaces of lawn will be Introduced between
walk and the cn I'm tho less abrupt part slopng
banks Will arise from each side to DO planted with
lowspread,ng trees, obscurng buildings, but not the
of trees the avenue. Tho rocky deciiv'ty
will be covered with conIicrs, dwarf brambes, bear
berry, smaller sumachs, golden rods and astors The
body OF water contemplated In tho old plan at the
southern end OF the park omitted because full sup
ply cannot be obtained for somo years the basin VIII
be temporarily converted into lawn that the report
Insists should be changed IA practicable
A sDall glade with a structure, Tine Rest awhile
will tho place OF the Exhibition Building formerly
proposed and tho structure Will be shut out by foliage
from view above and below. The one hundreu-and-
siNtecnth-st entrance Ia 10 be broad and ample for
use at night the main thorOughfare between The
elevated station and the upper part OF the Heghta
Tho plan provides that the saiIways and tho Walk
shall DO brightly Illuminated by electricity. In con-
cuslon the urges that one OF tho fist featurc-
to be attended to is setting out trees and voSctaons